Stingrays lose top Kiwi

THE Sunshine Coast Stringrays were dealt a huge blow yesterday, ahead of their season opener, when hulking centre Toese Lealamanua confirmed today's clash with the Gold Coast would be his last in the club's colours.

Lealamanua, 27, told the Daily he would move to Sydney in search of greater work opportunities and in an attempt to earn a NSW premier grade contract.

The New Zealand native said he would have loved to stay with the team, which showed promise of improving on its 2010 grand final appearance, but he had to shore up his career post-football.

“I've got a couple of clubs lined up that I'm going to talk to,” he said.

“I'll see how I go.

“But I want a decent career, which I haven't got going at the moment. I need to set myself up for the long term, after I stop playing football.

“I'm in the insurance and banking industry and there are a lot more opportunities down there. It's just a bigger place.”

Lealamanua decimated sides in the closing stages of the 2010 season despite playing for much of it with an injured shoulder.

Coach Toutai Kefu would have been licking his lips at the prospect of unleashing a centres pairing of a fit Lealamanua and former All Black Caleb Ralph.

Kefu paid tribute to Lealamanua, calling him a topline player who would be sorely missed.

“He's a class player,” Kefu said.

“I've talked to him numerous times, trying to get him to stay.

“He has to look at the positives. It's just unfortunate for us and we have to move on.”